The good ship Maori, Captain D. F. Roberts, made the harbour early yesterday ,
morning from London, after a pleasant but somewhat protracted passage
of 117 days. The Maori left Auckland on the 4th of April last, under
charter to her Majesty's Government for the conveyance of detachments
of the 68th and 43rd Regiments. Colonel Mould and family and Colonel
Carey, were also passengers on the occasion, and the vessel reached her
destination after a pleasant run of 93 days. After discharging
Government cargo she was laid on again for Auckland, and left a full
ship on the 4th of September. Owing, however, to a continuance of
adverse winds, she was unable to take her final departure until the
26th September; and after having ridden out several gales in the
Channel roadsteads, during a prevalence of the equinoxials,
she passed the Isle of Wight on the day named. On the 10th of October
passed and sighted the Island of Madeira, with variable westerly winds,
which continued for several days afterwards. Made the passage inside
the Cape de Verde Islands, and on the 4th of November, in 24° W.,
reached the equator 38 days out from the Isle of Wight. Had favourable
winds generally, and made the Cape of Good Hope on the 4th December, 68
days out, in latitude 44° 37 S. On the following day, in latitude 45°
S., 211° E., spoke the ship Sir Harry Parkes,
bound to China from London. On the same day, December 5th, at 3 p.m.,
fell in with an iceberg, about 270 feet in height, in shape resembling
a sugar-loaf laid longitudinally. The vessel was then in latitude 45°
37 S., longitude 112° 20. At 5.30 the same evening passed another
iceberg, apparently of smaller dimensions; and on the following day, in
latitude 46° 43 S., longitude 118° 19, spoke the barque Monkchester,
from London to Brisbane, 78 days out, the captain of which reported
having seen the ice alluded to. On December 7, in latitude 46° 29 S.,
longitude 122° 34 E., passed more ice, and saw the last on the 30th of
December, at 7 p.m., in longitude 126° 48, latitude 46° 41. On the 5th
instant, rounded Tasmania in 46° S., 147° 40 E., having experienced a
succession of easterly winds since the 14th of December, when the
vessel was in 33° 51 S., 171° 15 B. Sighted the Three Kings on the 17th
instant, and had variable winds down the coast.

The
Maori brings a full general cargo and 77 passengers, and reports no
sickness during the passage. On the 18th of November, the wife of Mr.
George Stapp gave birth to a male child. The passengers were in medical charge of Dr. O. P. Lethbridge. The Maori is again freighted by Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co., and comes consigned to Messrs. Cruickshank, Smart, and Co.